Obituaries
Obituary of Brian Lee Mitchell
Brian Lee Mitchell, 73, of Carlinville, passed away on Friday evening, February 28, 2025, at his home in Carlinville, with family by his side. Brian was born November 14, 1951, in Carlinville, son of Willam Waldo Mitchell and son of Doris (Ryan) Adcock.
Brian graduated from Carlinville High School with the class of 1969. He spent two years at Memphis State, then was called to duty to service his country. He married Norma Jean Wiese on December 31, 1971, in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville.
Brian was an electrical contractor. He started his electrical career with Whitby Electrical; later he worked for Robinson Electric and then LeVora Electric, all in Carlinville. In October of 1991, Brian and his brother Brandon started Mitchell Brother’s Electric, until April 2024, when he retired. Brian was a defensive coach for the semi-pro football team the Central Illinois Cougars, that allowed him to pass along his love for the game of football to future generations. He served on the City Council. Brian proudly served on the Board of Trustees for the Carlinville Fire Protection District. He was an active member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, serving on church council and several committees. He was a member of Men’s Fellowship and participated in the talent shows. He was honored to participate in the inaugural and final live performance of The Last Supper. He was most proud of his role as financial secretary for over 30 years. Brian loved attending auctions in search of vintage electronics to add to his collection. He also enjoyed reading and hunting for classic novels at hole-in-the-wall bookstores he found. Above all, Brian cherished the love of his life, Norma, and treasured the time they were able to spend with their kids and grandkids.
Brian was preceded in death by his parents, his mother- and father-in-law Arthur and Velma Wiese, and brother-in-law Fred Conklin.
Brian is survived by his wife, Norma of Carlinville; son, Clinton Lee (Marissa) Mitchell of Carlinville; daughter, Kristina (Dustin) Wise of Carlinville; grandson, Driston Lee Mitchell; grandson, Killian Mitchell; granddaughter, Matilda Mitchell; grandson, Britton Mitchell; granddaughter, Lillian Wise; granddaughter, Lenyn Wise; brother, Brad (Terri) Mitchell of Springfield; brother, Brent (Jessica) Mitchell of Boston, MA; brother, Brandon (Barb) Mitchell of Carlinville; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on March 7th , 4 pm – 7 pm, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville. Funeral services will be conducted March 8th at 11:00 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Carlinville, with burial immediately following in Mayfield Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites, Carlinville.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ or Carlinville Firefighter’s Association.
Please visit www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences or light a candle in his memory.
Davis Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.
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Robert Leeroy Blevins, 77 of Litchfield, passed away the evening of Thursday, November 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield. He was born in Litchfield on December 24, 1947, a son of Robert James and Betty Bernadine (Cranford) Blevins.
He graduated from Centralia High School and proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. He was employed for many years as a cabinet maker with Adenca Manufacturing in Litchfield. Robert enjoyed many outdoor activities including camping, fishing, hunting, mushroom hunting, and looking for buried treasures with his metal detector.
He was a talented musician and played guitar and saxophone. Robert enjoyed watching and listening to all spectator sports and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. He married the former Wanda Kay Large and they later divorced.
Robert is survived by sons, Christopher (fiancée Grace) Blevins and Jason (Jamie) Blevins, all of Litchfield; daughters, Jennifer (Gordon) Fenton of Salem, MO and Shannon Large of Litchfield; brothers, Chesley Blevins of Staunton, Joseph Blevins of Litchfield, Floyd Blevins of Highland, and Fred Blevins of Litchfield; sisters, Barbara (Ray) Schuster of Sorento, Sharon (John) Wickerheim of Chicago, and Pamela Poppenhouse of Litchfield; and several grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, Robert J. and Betty B. Blevins.
Funeral services for Mr. Blevins will be held at 12 noon on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Pastor Gilbert Dealey will officiate. Burial will be in Crabtree Cemetery. Military honors will be at graveside. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family of Robert Blevins, c/o Christopher Blevins. Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield is in charge of arrangements.
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Joyce Carleen Simmons, 83 of Litchfield, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 23, 2025. She was born in Pana on May 31, 1942, a daughter of Carl Cornelius and Lucille Romelta (Miller) Brakenhoff.
She was a member of the Litchfield High School graduating class of 1960. She married Raymond “Larry” Simmons on June 6, 1965, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, and they enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until his passing on January 23, 2022.
Joyce was an excellent cook and well known for her beef and noodles, Texas cake, and stew. Joyce’s delicious cooking skills were evident during her 22-year career as manager of Jubelt’s Variety Bakery in Litchfield and as a ten-year cafeteria worker for the Litchfield Community School District #12. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, tending to her fruit trees, and sewing. Joyce enjoyed serving others by teaching Sunday School at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield and volunteering for the local Meals on Wheels.
Joyce is survived by her sons, Raymond (Vicki) Simmons of Evansville, IN and David (Jacqueline) Simmons of Haymarket, VA; daughter, Laura Simmons of Edwardsville; brothers, Leslie (Sue) Brakenhoff of Litchfield, Byron (Terry) Brakenhoff of Chattanooga, TN, and Dale (Nancy) Brakenhoff of Litchfield; sisters, Ramona Warman of Charleston, IL and Marilyn (Don) Loptien of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Zachary Simmons, Makenzie (Jeremy) Frazier, Emma Simmons, and William Simmons; and great-grandchildren, Gunnar, Wyatt, Eli and Calla.
Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Rev. Larry Brakenhoff and Bernard Brakenhoff; brother-in-law Robert, “Bob” Warman; and niece, Kimberly (Brakenhoff) Bergman.
Funeral services for Joyce will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery in Litchfield. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141-8557. Plummer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
